"Once a Witch" by Carolyn MacCullough [3 1/2]

Tasmin Green comes from a long line of witches, and on the day she was born, her grandmother proclaimed she would be one of the most Talented among them.
But Tamsin's magic never showed up.
now, seventeen years later, she spends most of her time at boarding school in Manhattan, where she can at least pretend to be normal. But during the summers, she's forced to return home and work at her family's bookstore/magic shop.
One night a handsome young professor from New York University arrives in the shop and mistakes Tamsin for her extremely Talented older sister. For once, it's Tamsin who's being looked at with awe and admiration, and before she can stop herself, she agrees to find a family heirloom for him that was lost more than a century ago. But the search - and the stranger - prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the past sins of her family, and unleash a power so strong and so vengeful that it could destroy them all.


This is a really enchanting story for young teens... time travel, sibling rivalry, witchcraft, romance and that all important first kiss. It's the classic story of good verses evil. It's a very easy read and one that will definitely appeal to the younger teen. The character of Tamsin is feisty and strong but she struggles with who she is...she is a very likable character. Gabriel is the main male role and he has been Tamsin's best friend when they were younger but he moved away and they never stayed in touch, but sparks fly when they meet again for the first time. Tamsin's not sure how to react to him and that makes it even more interesting. The plot is a little predictable but it keeps you interested. This is really a novel for the young teens. The sequel is to be released in August 2011 and entitle "Always a Witch"

As Irish would say "A good wee read"

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

The Forbidden Sea by Sheila A Nielson (41/2)

When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, she is convinced that the mermaid means her harm. After all, the island is steeped in stories of mermaids' curses and the ill-luck that they bring. But Adrianne is fierce-willed and courageous and is determined to protect her family and the islanders from danger. Yet when the islanders find out about Adrianne's encounters with the mermaid, her family is scorned. They believe that once active, the mermaid cannot be quieted until an islander sacrifices herself to the sea. But is the legend true? And will their fear make them force Adrienne to test it? This is a haunting story of love, surrender and strength

I purchased this book because: Alot of hype around the book and wanted to see if it lived up to the reputation ...


Opening Lines: Pelting rain battered against me, stinging my skin and eyes, almost driving me backwards, Forcing myself to continue, I felt my way down the slick rock face one foot at a time. I clung to the cliff face a moment, crying into the dark squall raging around me.

Well I have been reading lately about fairies, vampires, werewolves and shapeshifters so why not try Mermaids ....... This is a really nice book and actually deals with alot of grown up issues ... Bullying and feeling alone is a major one ...... I read this book in nearly one sitting .. I just gobbled it up ... My only complaint with the book was that it ended .......

I don't want to go into details because it would totally spoil the book but there are sooooo many different avenues and characters in the book that I would love the storyline to continue ....

I love the main character of Adrianne she is feisty, firely and vulnerable all rolled into one .... And it seems that no matter what she does it is never enough to satisfy those around her .... So when the legend of the Mermaid suddenly threatens the Island everyone turns to Adrianne ...

I loved the storyline of Lady Lauretta Durran and how it inter weaved throughout the whole novel ... There is nothing like a good mystery ......

Some of my favourite quotes are:

Don't let the few harsh things of life blot out your happiness in everything else, Adrianne. pg 40

If you let fear control what you do, you'll never get anything done. Pg 42

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from the author ...

I rate this book 4 1/2 ****

"Bad Girls Don't Die" by Katie Alender [4 1/2]

Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence: dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy, thirteen-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own antisocial, anti-cheerleader attitude.

When a family argument results in tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunctional to dangerous. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green; she uses odd, old-fashioned language - and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her weird behaviour. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves, water boils on the unlit stove, and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough for the girls to see their breath.

Alexis wants to believe it's all in her head, until these seemingly harmless occurrences become life-threatening - to her, to her family, and to her budding relationship with the student council vice president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey; but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

This is a cool new series by a first time author Katie Alender. It is the first of three novels with the second coming out in June 2011 entitle 'From Bad to Cursed' and the third is due out in 2012.

Great teen read and introduction to ghost type novels, nothing gory or real scary in this book, probably just a little creepy... Really well written and very easy to read, the story flows well although just a little slow to begin with. The characters are very believable and you do become involved in what is happening to them.

"I stood perfectly still, looking up at the house and the

dark sky beyond it.

A band of mist drifted away from the moon,

making way for the next set of clouds -

what I hoped would be the picturesque backdrop

I'd been waiting for".

This has a really interesting cover to it and if your like me you just had to have the hardback version. This series is worth trying and the girls will love reading it...perhaps not at night for them though! Great introduction the the wonderful world of spooks and specters.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

"13 to Life" by Shannon Delany [5]

Everything about Jessie Gillmansen's life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But while showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she's about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent - he's a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie's small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can't avoid.

Wow, wow, wow. I loved the cover to this book as soon as I saw it and then reading the review thought yep that sounds interesting. Well that's an understatement ... this book was fantastic, I just could not put it down and that hasn't happened for a little while now. First I must warn you the next installment isn't until Feb 2011 so you might be tearing out your hair while waiting ... I know that I will be!

So Jessica or Jessie to her friends has had a pretty rough last year, her mother was killed right in front of her in a car crash and her best friend was in a coma for a week. Now she has been asked to show the new guy around the school and while he might be handsome he is also arrogant and dangerous. But as Jessie gets to know Pietr better she realizes that they have things in common but that he is also hiding a dark secret. Torn between showing her loyalty to her best friend and fighting her attraction toward Pietr, she secretly starts to become involved in his life, and this will change everything.

This novel is so well written that you totally get engrossed and before you realize you've finished it. I loved the way the author has a real sweet relationship starting to develop between the two main characters and how the friendship between girls is important and shouldn't come between boys. Sacrifice is a strong theme throughout this novel and it's interesting to see how the characters deal with it. It's fast paced, full of suspense and action, add a little touch of danger and romance and you have the perfect teen read. I can't wait to read the next installment to find out what happens. This would be a great christmas stocking filler for your girls.

Totally Enjoy.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"Betrayal" by Gillian Shields [4]

When Evie Johnson started at Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, her life change in ways she couldn't have envisioned: the discovery of her link with Lady Agnes, her special bond with Helen and Sarah, and their sisterhood in the astonishing secrets of the Mystic Way. Above all, Evie's love for Sebastian has turned her world upside down.

Now Evie returns to Wyldcliffe for another term and more danger. Surrounded by enemies, she lives every day in fear that Sebastian will fall into the darkness of servitude to the Unconquered Lords. The Wyldcliffe coven is plotting to destroy Evie and use Sebastian to secure their own immortality. Evie and her sisters must master the power of the Talisman before it is too late. But could it be Sebastian himself who will ultimately betray Evie?

This is the stunning sequel to "Immortal", the story of Evie Johnson who is sent to a private boarding school in the north of England, where she finds she is related to the school's patroness, Lady Agnes. She also discovers that along with her two best friends that they have been given the gifts of the Mystic Way. Evie falls in love with Sebastian Fairfax, but the problem with that is he is dead. Not dead in the true sense but immortal, but in peril of losing his life to the dark side. In this sequel Evie has to find the strength and courage to master her abilities of the Mystic Way if she is going to be able to help Sebastian. Through friendship and love the girls conquer the dark sisters and release Sebastian from his peril.

Filled with romance, mystery, and suspense this companion to Immortal has everything to finish the story off. It is fast paced and beautifully written and has a wonderful conclusion to the story. It is a modern take on the classic Gothic novel and a must read for all teenage girls. First love and eternal friendships are the theme for this series and it is lovely to see the support the girls give to each other through the trials they go through. I also loved the way the past was threaded into the current present. A great series for 14 -15 year olds to read.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Ice" by Sarah Beth Durst [5]

When Cassie was a little girl,

her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother,

who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make -believe.

Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back - if Cassie will agree to be his bride.

That is the beginning of Cassie's own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her - until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magically realm of Ice.

This is such a beautiful book and I'm not just talking about the cover ... it is based on a fairy tale from Norway, which I haven't heard of but is really lovely.

So basically Cassie has grown up with her grandmother telling her this fairy tale and in a round about way the death of her mother. As she becomes older she doesn't believe in this fairy tale any more until she actually meets a bear who talks and her world explodes around her. She makes a deal with the Polar Bear King to rescue her mother and then she will wed him. Through spending time with him she starts to fall in love with him, but all doesn't go smoothly and Cassie has to use all her survival skills to rescue the love of her life.

This lovely fairy tale reminds me a little of 'Beauty and the Beast' but with a few slight twist. A beautifully written story about friendship and love and the lengths you would go to rescue those you love. It is a fast moving story and one you can read in just one sitting, flows beautifully and easy to read, Cassie and the Polar Bear King are the main characters and you fall in love with both of them. I loved this novel and hope the author might write a second to continue the story of Cassie and her Polar Bear King. A lovely book for the 13-14 year old range or even us adults. Pick it up for a light read and fall in love with the magic of Ice.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"I was Jane Austen's Best Friend" by Cora Harrison [3 1/2]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single

girl in possession of a journal must write

all her secrets in it.

Meet Jenny Cooper: shy, pretty cousin of clever,

sparky Jane Austen

[who has lots of handsome brothers and a vivid imagination.]

These are Jenny's secrets:

* She has never gone to a ball.

* She hates her school.

* She longs to wear a new gown and flirt with a handsome

naval officer.

* She wishes real life could be more like a novel.

This is a really cute little novel that is written in the style of a diary, and all 13 -14 year old girls will just love this book. Inside you'll find all sorts of drawings and little notes. The hardback cover is just pretty and this is the UK version but I have also seen the US version that will come out eventually and I must admit that one is just beautiful.

So the basic story is that Jenny and Jane are at boarding school and get extremely sick and are brought home ... from then on it's about life under the Austen household and Jenny's desire to be married like all girls at her tender age of 16.

While it is such a sweet book and the characters are all likable and the humour is ... well funny, I did find the book for me a little boring and I kept losing interest in reading it. It is well written and light hearted and I loved the way truth and fiction were woven into making this story, but I definitely think it is one for the younger teens. Actually if you have any girls in the family think about this book as a stocking filler for Christmas because they will get a thrill out of reading it.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"If I Stay" by Gayle Forman [4 1/2]

Life can change in an instant.

A cold February morning ...

a snowy road ...

and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone.

Except one.

As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must

make the most difficult choice of all.

Living's all about

making choices.

Dying's no different ...

From the moment you start reading this thought provoking story you realize just how precious life is and the importance of the choices we make throughout it. It is a simple but powerful story ... love, friendships, heartache and tragedy and all this makes for a heartwarming and memorable reading experience.

What choice would you make if you knew your family wasn't with you anymore ... this is the choice Mia has to make after a terrible accident takes her family from her. While lying unconscious in hospital Mia relives all the wonderful experiences that have come in her life at the young age of 17. Her love of music, her friendship with her best friend, her first boyfriend and first love and most precious of all her family. But with such a tragic loss is there even something worth staying for?

'Stay.' With that one word, Adam's voice catches, but he
swallows the emotion and pushes forward. 'There's no word
for what happened to you. There's no good side of it. But
there is something to live for. And I'm not talking about me.
It's just ... I don't know. Maybe I'm talking shit. I know I'm
in shock. I know I haven't digested what happened to your
parents, to Teddy ...' When he says Teddy, his voice cracks
and an avalanche of tears tumbles down his face. And I
think: I love you.

Sometimes painful, other times funny but always touching this is a novel that you just have to read ... impossible to put down. There is also talk of making this novel into a movie, and what a powerful movie that would be.
[ there is bad language in this book as well as adult concepts]

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

"The Storyteller's Daughter" by Cameron Dokey [5]

After a bitter betrayal, a king vows never to be deceived again.

But the king's plan to protect himself will endanger all of the realm's

young women, unless one of them volunteers to surrender

her life to marry the king.

To everyone's relief and horror, Shahrazad, the daughter

of a legendary storyteller, steps forward. On her wedding night,

Shahrazad begins to weave a tale for the king.

Fascinated, the king lets her live night after night. Just

when Shahrazad dares to believe that she has found a way to keep

her life - and has discovered an unexpected love -

a treacherous plot disrupts her plan. Now Shahrazad must hope that

love is strong enough to save her.

We have all at same stage in our lives either read or saw a movie about the 'Arabian Nights', well this lovely little book is told from the storyteller's daughter and is so fascinating and captivating that before you know it you've finished to book. Shahrazad is such a wonderful character that you truly believe in her gift of storytelling and you just pray that all will work out for her in the end. The stories inside the story are wonderful and magical ... this is a little book that you can read over and over again and not grow tired of it.
So here is a little snippet ...

A story is alive, as you and I are.
It is rounded by muscle and sinew. Rushed with blood.
Layered with skin, both rough and smooth. At it's core lies soft
marrow of hard, white bone. A story beats with the heart of
every person who has ever strained ears to listen. On the
breath of the storyteller, it soars. Until its images and deeds
become so real you can see them in the air, shimmering like
oases on the horizon line.

Everyone at sometime in their lives needs to read this lovely novel and just immerse yourself into the telling of the story. Read it to your children and it will be something they will never forget ... one of the all time classics ...

ONCE UPON A TIME ... is just timeless !

I rate this book 5 stars.

Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink (41/2)

The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.

I purchased this book because: The second installment of the Prophecy of Sisters Series


Opening Lines: Sitting at the desk in my chamber, I do not need to read the words of the prophecy to recall them. They are embedded in my mind as clearly as the mark that brands my wrist.

This book is so much better than the first book and it will have you reading until you finish it in the wee hours of the morning :) .........

The relationship between Lia and Alice is brilliant with Lia battling to do the right thing and Alice her sister just not caring except to stop Lia at all costs not to find the missing pages of the prophecy ....

The book is mostly about Lia and her faithful companions Sonia, Luisa and Edmund travelling to reach Lia's aunt in order to obtain the missing pages of the prophecy .... The horse rides will have you at the edge of your seat as you read .... Not only are they trying to escape the souls but also Hell Hounds are on their trail ........

But you know what else makes this book yummy to read .... Enter Dimitri ..... Oh yes ladies he is delicious ... Move over James for here is a man who is ready to fight for his lady ....

Lia has some really important and hard decisions to make in this book ... Will she be able to let her head overrule her heart ....

Some of my favourite quotes: 'There are those who might say all trees look alike, that it is impossible to tell one wood from another, but this is the landscape of my childhood and I know it for what it is.' pg 4


'Alice and I are destined to meet as enemies. Now it is just the keys, the prophecy, and me.' pg 27


' He is right, of course. If the measure of reality is based only on things in which the rest of the world believes, there is no Samael, no Lost Souls, no prophecy. Yet we know them to be real. It only makes sense to them, to accept the reality in which we find ourselves, however far that reality may be from everyone else's' pg 79


'Worse than anger, worse than ambivalence, I see the pleasure she takes in holding the power to harm another.' Pg 89


'What moves through the forest is no simple animal. I hear howling screams and know immediately that a wolf or a dog would be a blessing compared to what follows us. It is not the growl of an animal but something much, much more terrifying.' pg 105


' I could not stop myself from intervening. From the first moment I saw you, I felt ..... something.' pg 123 AHHHHH


' I need less sleep than you might imagine. Besides, lately when I sleep, I only dream of you anyway.' pg 143


' I shake my head, wondering if a gag for her condescending mouth would be too much to ask' pg 187


'When I meet his gaze, a slow smile spreads from his eyes to his mouth and he raises his eyebrows as if he know exactly what I am thinking.' pg 199

'The Prophecy has taught me well that some things must be done however much we wish to avoid them.' pg 218

Well I am abit sad that this book is finished .... It has been a really great read .... Fast pacing all the way to the end .... And now we have to wait for the next installment .... GRRRRRR

I rate this book 41/2 ****


Books in the Series in order
Prophecy of the Sisters
#1 Prophecy of the Sisters
#2 Guardian of the Gate
#3 (Released 2011)

Ok You know that you want to read this book ........ And we happen to be giving a copy of it away this month .... So click the picture of the book on your right and enter .......

"Marly's Ghost" by David Levithan [4]

"Love is Humbug..."

When Ben's girlfriend, Marly, dies, he feels his life is over. What could possibly matter now when Marly is gone? So when valentine's Day approaches, it makes sense that this day that was once so meaningful to Ben leaves him bitter and hollow. But then Marly arrives - or at least her ghost does - along with

three other spirits. Now Ben must take a painful journey through Valentine's Days past, present, and future, and what he discovers will change him forever.

Isn't the cover just beautiful ... once I realized that it was based on Charles Dickens novel, "A Christmas Carol" well I just had to have it. It's such a cute little story and so cleverly written as well. While the author has said that this is a remix of the original story he has tried to stay close to certain elements from the first.

So the story is that Ben has just lost his girlfriend Marly to cancer, and he feels like there is nothing to live for, especially when it comes to Valentines Day. Love is an overrated emotion e.t.c. So like the traditional story Ben is haunted by Marly and the Ghosts of past, present and future.

There came a clanking noise from downstairs.

Like a heavy chain being dragged.

First faintly ...

then closer.

Hitting against the stairs.

Dragged across the floor.

Coming straight for my room.

"This isn't happening," I said to myself.

"I refuse to believe this is happening."

This book would make the perfect Christmas stocking filler, it is such a sweet introduction to the same concept as the original but probably not quite as heavy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and with only 155 pages you'll fly through it. Oh yes nearly forgot to mention the cute illustrations throughout the story. A really lovely teen read.

I rate this book 4 stars.

The Hollow by Jessica Verday (31/2)

When Abbey’s best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead…and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey has never felt so desperately alone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen’s funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey’s life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he’s the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.


Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen’s betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

I Purchased this book because: Saw it ages ago being reviewed and loved the storyline ...


Opening Lines: They said she killed herself. Everyone was saying it. What started out as a rumor, quietly whispered among small gatherings of polite people, quickly grew into something that was openly discussed in large gatherings of impolite people. I was so sick of hearing them talk about it.

This is the first installment of a series called 'The Hollow' and it is being described as a spine-tingling paranormal romance set in the legendary town of 'Sleepy Hollow' where you have the ghostly figure of the 'Headless Horseman' was made famous ..... Sounds great and I couldn't wait to dive in ....

Unfortunately for me I thought it was abit slow ... It started out great and then it just plodded along ... It is a little over 500 pages and even though it is a big print it did take me a few days to read it .... Not that I didn't enjoy it just that it did drag for me ... I really wanted the story to really grab me and pull me in which it really didn't do until the last 50 pages of the book ... I understand that this is the first installment and you need to set up the characters but I still prefer the story to have some meat in it so I can really sink my teeth into it ... And is difficult for me to rate this book because I like it but just didn't love it .... And there are so many different questions that have still been left unanswered ...

I loved the way the author used quotes from 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' at the beginning of each chapter and how it fitted perfectly with the story line ... If anything it has make me want to go out and purchased the book that Washington Irving imagined ... That and watching the movie .... Who am I kidding ....To be honest I really don't need a reason to watch Johnny Depp lol .....

There is alot of weird things that are happening in the small town of Sleepy Hollow ... And Abbey is smack in the middle of it all .... I do like her character ... She is gusty which I love and not afraid to search for the truth ...

Some of my favourite quotes: 'Thank you for your help today, Abbey, and try to remember the good memories. They will help the sad ones'. Pg 79


'I profess not to know how women's hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration' The legend of Sleepy Hollow pg 92


'I never thought about it that way, Abbey. I always pictured it as Dickens's way of portraying how a single moment can affect our lives so profoundly.' Pg 103


'The kiss suddenly turned harder, and more desperate. I tasted the urgency in it and thought that I would die from the pleasure. Would they lock up the library for the night and find us dead in each other's arms? Perished from pleasure? That thought send delicious goose bumps travelling over my entire body. Pg233


'His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry, for as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves'. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow pg 301

I am going to rate this book around 3 1/2 stars mainly because I did love the storyline but it was abit slow for me to get started .... Then sped up in the last 50 pages or so so now you are left waiting for the next installment .... grrrrr ... So really you either really love this book or you don't and so that is why it is great everyone is different and you should pick up a copy and see what you think .... But I am excited to get my hands on the next novel ...

I rate this book 3 1/2 *** ( sigh .... wish I could have rated it better :( ... )

You can check out the lovely Johnny Depp ...



Books in 'The Hollow' Series in order

1) The Hollow
2) The Haunting ( released in Hardback on the 31st August 2010 and Paperback 2 September 2010)
3)

"Glimmerglass" by Jenna Black [3 1/2]

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her mother, an alcoholic, shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she's had enough of playing the role of her mother's keeper, so she packs her bags and travels to see her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. Dana is a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds. She has always known that her father is a big-deal Fae, but what she doesn't realize is that she could be the key to his rise to power. When she arrives in Avalon, Dana finds herself a pawn in the game of magical politics. Avalon is a place where both magic and technology work, and humans and Fae coexist in something resembling peace. How can she change the winds of fate, find a boyfriend, and make new friends when she's not sure who, if anyone, can be trusted?

Of course it was the cover that first drew me to this book, and then reading the review on the back it sounded quite interesting ... The story certainly has a slightly different take on all the other faerie novels that I've read. In this one it seems that the world is aware that faerie's exist and we have a common place where we can interacted with each other to a degree. It does take a little while to get into the story but once you have what's going on sorted out it does become interesting. The writing style is very easy to read and the story does move along fairly quickly.

The characters are appealing and you become absorbed in their plights. This book will appeal to the teens ... it has intrigued, romance, a determined female lead and hot young fae boys ... what more could you wish for. I'm interested to see where this series will go. "SHADOWSPELL" is the next in the series and will be release in 2011.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (5)

Meg's father, an eminent physicist, has been missing for two years. One night a strange old woman, Mrs. Whatsit, appears, "blown off course" while she, along with Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, was tessering, or taking a shorcut through time and space.

They take Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their new friend Calvin, to rescue Dr. Murray, who is a prisoner on a planet ruled by IT, a giant pulsating brain that controls the minds of everyone on the planet. Charles Wallace also falls under IT's control, and when Meg finds her father, she discovers that he is not the invincible protector she thought he was. She must not only come to terms with this realization, but find a way to rescue them both.

I purchased this book because: So many people have mentioned it to me that I thought I would be crazy not to get it

Opening lines: It was a dark and stormy night. In her attic bedroom Margaret Murry, wrapped an old patchwork quilt, sat on the foot of her bed and watched the trees tossing in the frenzied lashing of the wind.

Oh my Golly Gosh why did it take me years to read this book ..... It is definitely one of my favourite all time reads ... And one book that I have to say is a must for every household to have on their bookshelf ... I have got brightly coloured post-its all over this book ... I just was so sad that it had to come to an end ....

You know you are reading a good book when you just get carried away with the storyline and the characters ... When you visualize everything in your head like a movie .... And the great thing about this book is that it is not only a great fantasy novel but also has great words of insight and lessons that we can all learn ... Can you tell that I loved this novel ...

It was written back in 1962 which shows that a great novel stands the test of time ... And that Madeleine the author was going to give up on publishing it because she kept getting rejected ... There is a lesson to be learnt to never give up ...

I love all the characters in this book especially the main character of Margaret ... This novel has such a powerful way of addressing issues and how to overcome them ... And to show that in the end 'LOVE' conquers all ... And one of the main issues in the novel is Conformity .... And it is something that most of us will suffer from one time or another ... But this novel teaches us that it is OK to be different and to be you !!

Where to begin with my favourite quotes because there are sooooooooo many: "Everybodys exactly alike" .. Meg replies triumphantly, " No! Like and equal are not the same thing at all!" pg 3

'But I think that with our human limitations we're not always able to understand the explanations. But you see, Meg, just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist' Pg 53

'An old ass knows more than a young colt' Perez Pg 63

'I do not know everything; still many things I understand' Goethe Pg 113

'We look not at the things which are what you would call seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal. But the things which are not seen are eternal.' Pg 205

'Why do you think we have wars at home? Why do you think people get confused and unhappy? Because they all live their own, separate, individual lives. I've been trying to explain to you in the simplest possible way that on Camazotz individuals have been done away with. Camazoz in ONE mind. It's IT. And that's why every one's so happy and efficient' Pg 157

'Her father: 'We can't leave her. And we must stay together. We must not be afraid to take time' pg 182

'You mean you're comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within?' .. You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you' Pg 219

With Madeleine's grand-daughter's help her stories have been re-published so we can appreciate them all over again as a new generation ... If you want to be transported into a different world this is definitely a novel for you and one that you will re-read again and again :) ..

I rate this book 5*****

Here's the movie clip .... I haven't watched this movie before and have been told that the book is far better ... No surprise there then ..

Books in the Time Series in order are:

1) A Wrinkle in Time

2) A Wind in the Door

3) A Swiftly Tilting Planet

4) Many Waters

5) An Acceptable Time

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood & Jane Northumberland (4)

Jessamine Luxson lives with her father, Thomas, an apothecary, in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle. Thomas′s pride and obsession is his locked garden full of dangerous plants, which Jessamine is forbidden to enter.

When a traveler brings an orphan to their cottage, he claims the boy has special gifts that Thomas might value. Jessamine is drawn to the strange but intriguing boy, called Weed. Soon their friendship deepens into love. Finally, Weed shares his secret: he can communicate with plants. For him they have distinct personalities-and some are even murderous. From the locked garden the poisonous plants call to Weed, luring him with promises of deadly power.

I purchased this book because: Saw this on a book blog site and loved the cover :)

Opening lines: 15th March ... Gray skies, the rain came and went all morning. A cold wind blew in gust, worsening as the day went on, until the lowest branch of the great chestnut tree in the courtyard splintered down the middle and crashed to the ground. If I had been standing underneath, I would have been crushed.

This is a new wee series of the 1st in a set of three and it is quite an easy read that you will finish in know time ... The concept is really interesting with the idea sparking from the World Famous Poison Gardens at Alnwick Castle in England ( which is the castle that is also famous where they filmed Hogwarts for Harry Potter)

I love my Young Adults reads and this will be added to my list ... I did find it abit young at the start but then the story really developed ... Jessamine's world is quite a solitude life with her only company being her father until a strange young man named 'Weed' turns up ... Jessamine's eyes are suddenly opened up to a beautiful world around her ... But still there is a fascination for the poison garden behind the locked iron gates which her father forbids her to enter .. I suppose with anything if you are told not to go near it your curiosity is peaked ...

I have to say I loved the way the authors wrote about the poisons and how they described nature ... Truly beautiful and pulled you in .... You can see the lure of danger with the poisons by the way she describes them it is very seductive ...

I am excited on how the series will develop ... As they left us with a cliffhanger at the end ...

Some of favourite quotes in the book where: Her fathers description of Belladonna ... " Remember, Jessamin," Father warned, " you will be raising a litter of assassins" Pg 8

"I am easy prey, I think, a motherless lamb, alone in the world. No flock, no friends, no green field I can call home. And the skies are full of ravens." Pg 35

"You see, Jessamine, love is a kind of poison; one of my favourite kinds, in fact. It infects the blood, it takes over the mind, it seizes dominion over the body" Pg 225

So in end ... we have a choice ... we can either use the plants for good or evil ...

I rate this book 4 ****

Check out a short interview with the author .... Enjoy :)

The books in order of series:

1) The Poison Diaries

2)

3)

Unwind by Neal Shusterman (5)

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would 'unwind' them.

Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together through desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing all the while that their lives are hanging in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthdays, they can't be harmed. But when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away...Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life - not just where it begins and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

I purchased this because: I saw it on a book blog ages ago and it has been on my TBR for ages ...

Opening lines: "There are places you can go," Ariana tells him, " and a guy as smart as you has a decent chance of surviving to eighteen."

OH MY GOSH .... I love this book ..... and I think I have fallen in love with a new author ... I have already ordered other books by Neal Shusterman ... And I blame him for my bags under my eyes for making me stay up to the lil hours of the morning reading ....

The cover for this book is brilliant ... I have the first cover with all the body parts connecting ... It is sooo clever ... From the moment I read "The Bill of Life" at the front I knew this book was going to be interesting ... What did I love about this book .... Literally everything .... I loved how each chapter was dedicated to one of the characters .... Brilliant ... It gives you a real sense of how each character felt not just the one character telling the story ...

Basically the book is set in the United States where a war has just ended over the issue of Abortion ... Where a comprise is found on both sides stating that abortion is outlawed, and there is a place for every baby, wanted or not, either at one of the State Homes or on the doorstep of other families, who are legally obligated to take care of each of these "storked" Babies.

That is, until they are thirteen, at this point, any children who are unwanted can be, effectively, retroactively aborted. They're not exactly killed but instead have their body parts live on, thanks to medical advances that enable every single body part, from your hair to your feet to your internal organs. Can and will be donated to others who need them. So from the ages of 13 to 18, millions of children are at risk of undergoing this procedure, of becoming literally "UNWOUND"

So faces the dilemma of three teens ... Who for different reasons find themselves in the awful position of being "unwind" .... I fell in love with each of this three characters and got totally drawn in by their stories ...

How much is a life worth? .... And how far as a human race are we willing to go? .... Neal Shusterman will have you pondering and glued to your seat until you finish this novel ... And to think that parts of this story is based on facts is really scary .... This is a very thought-provoking book and will have you thinking about it for days and weeks to come ... I know my copy of the book as lots of post-it notes throughout .... Definitely one of the top reads for this year for me ... Highly recommend it ....

Some of my favourite quotes ( And there where loads :) ) ...."First rule of motherhood, dearie: Men are screwups. Learn it now and you'll be a whole lot happier" Pg 63

"You can be anyone you want to be now" Pg 90

"Unwinds didn't go out with a bang - they didn't even go out with a whimper. They went out with the silence of a candle flame pinched between two fingers" Pg 95

"How could it, when Unwinds aren't really dead?" pg 124

"Of course, if more people had been organ donors, unwinding never would have happened ... but people like to keep what's theirs, even after they're dead. It didn't take long for ethics to be crushed by greed. Unwinding became big business, and people let it happen" Pg 224

"It's amazing that something as simple as a kiss can overpower The worst of worries" Pg 234

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity: and I'm not sure about the universe" Albert Einstein Pg 315

I rate this book 5 ***** - And if I could rate it more I would :)

Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz (4)

Schuyler Van Alen is starting to get more comfortable with her newfound vampire powers, but she still has many unanswered questions. A trip to Italy in search of her grandfather only serves to make things more confusing. What secrets are the leaders of The Committee hiding? Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the famous Four Hundred Ball. In true Blue Blood fashion, the ball is totally fab, complete with masks, and hidden behind this masquerade is a revelation that will change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

I Purchased it because: The 2nd installment of the Blue Blood Series and lovin the cover :)

This is the a wee series that I have been dying to sink my teeth into .... excuse the pun .... lol ...

Schuyler is trying to build a relationship up with her grandfather while trying to juggle her feelings for a certain boy named Jack .... But just when you think things couldn't get any more complicated .... Enter the new boy .....

We have new threats and also old threats that are re-emerging ... I have to say that I am loving the characters in this series ... Mimi is a character whom you just love to hate .... Charles's character well you just aren't sure about him .... And Lovin Jack the brooding male lead .... It is like reading a soap opera ... Love it ....

You find out alot about the back history to Schuyler and also her parents which gives you a better insight on her role within 'The Elite Blue Bloods' ....

Will Schuyler live through all the drama's? .... And will she get the boy of her dreams? ... Well you are just going to have read and find out ......

I rate this book 4 ****

Books in the Blue Bloods series in order
1) Blue Bloods
2) Masquerade
3) Revelations
4) The Van Allen Legacy
5) Misguided Angel ( released 5th October 2010)

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz (4)

When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries.

But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think.
Could those vampire legends really be true? Steeped in vampire lore and set against the heady backdrop of the rich, young, and powerful in the heart of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by Melissa de la Cruz's legion fans.

This is a series that I have on my TRL for ages ... And I am finally getting around to reading them ... I spent a fortune getting the first book and luckily for me K-Mart got the rest of the series in for half the price .... Go K-Mart ...

OK back to the book ...... How would I describe this book .... A cross between Gossip Girl and Buffy probably ... And I am loving the series ...

Schuyler is the main character and I really like her .... She is down to earth but still has the air of the upper New Yorkers .... The only problem is that she has to try and convince the Elite Blue Bloods that an ancient enemy is starting to rise again and they need to prepare themselves for war .... (While still in high school and trying hard not to be like all the rest of the elite designer girls)

As always there is the boy factor ... Especially the most popular boy at school Jack who for some reason is paying her alot of attention recently ....

Will she be able to control her new powers and unearth the traiter in their ranks?

This is a great wee series that I am enjoying ... If you love your fantasy vampire books then this is a series for you to get your teeth into :) ...

I rate this book 4 ****

Books in the Blue Blood Series in order:
1) Blue Blood
2)Masquerade
3) Revelations
4) The Van Allen Legacy
5) Misguided Angel ( released Oct 5th 2010)

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (4)

Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister Alice have just become orphans, and, as Lia discovers, they have also become enemies. The twins are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the strange mark branded on her wrist, and the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her. Debut novelist Michelle Zink takes readers on an unforgettable journey where one sister's fateful decision could have an impact of Biblical proportions. Prophecy of the Sisters is the first of three books.

Well I have been waiting to read this book for ages .... And I managed to borrow it off Legs to read ... ( thank you :) ) ....Don't you just love the cover of this book ..... :) ...... And the story line sounds really intriguing ....

I really liked the character of Lia and reading the story you felt that you where on the journey with her to discover who she is and what role she has to play in the future ... The character of Alice her twin sister is great ... Very spooky and sinister ... loved her :)

The only downside with this book is that it did frustrate me as a reader that the author assumed that you already knew the back story line of the role the sisters have to play .... Which of course you do not find that out until way into the book ... But as a first novel I would definitely give it the thumbs up ..

It will be interesting as this is a another trilogy as to where the story is going to go ... There are a few twists and turns in the novel when just when you think you know what is going on .... You really don't ...

All in all it is a good wee novel .... The characters are just now evolving ..... It is written very well and flows ..... And it will have you begging for more when you finish this book .........

A rate this book 4 ****

Prophecy of the Sisters Series in order
1) Prophecy of the Sisters
2) Guardian of the Gate ( released 1st August 2010)

"Forget-Her-Nots" by Amy Brecount White [4]

Something - some power - is blooming
inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love.

Laurel suspects her new found ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.

Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother has also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?

Wow what a wonderful first novel and such a different idea to write about. I was totally in thralled with it. Laurel is a young 14 year old girl who has just lost her mother to cancer, her father has seemed to move on with his life and Laurel feels like he has forgotten his wife. To feel closer to her mum she goes to the same boarding school, Avondale. What starts off as a oral report turns into something just a little bit more than that. Laurel realizes that she has this magical gift with flowers and she wants to know why. As she starts to learn about her gift, things start to also get a little bit weird and out of hand. Can she keep secrets and promises made without getting into more trouble and can she also help those that she promised.

A surprising beautifully written novel, that has a interesting story about friendships, finding love and trusting in yourself. This is a book I'd recommend to any young teen to read. The book seems to end with a possible sequel which would be great as we could see how Laurel grows in her abilities and strengths. I really enjoyed this delightful story. Such a pretty cover too.

I rate this book 4 stars.